The Bauhaus was a progressive German art and design school founded by the architect Walter Gropius that operated from 1919 to 1933. Authentic Bauhaus furniture — sofas, dining chairs, tables and more — and the school’s followers married industrial and natural materials in simple, geometric forms. The goal of the Bauhaus was to erase the distinction between art and craft while embracing the use of new technologies and materials.
ORIGINS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGN
BAUHAUS FURNITURE DESIGNERS YOU SHOULD KNOW
AUTHENTIC BAUHAUS FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The name Bauhaus is derived from the German verb bauen, “to build.” Under the school’s innovative curriculum, students were taught the fine arts, such as painting and sculpture, as well as practical skills like carpentry and metalworking.
The school moved from Weimar in 1925 to the city of Dessau, where it enjoyed its heyday under Gropius, then Hannes Meyer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The period from 1932 to 1933 when it operated in Berlin under Mies was its final chapter. Despite its brief existence, the Bauhaus has had an enduring impact on art and design in the United States and elsewhere, and is regarded by many as the 20th century’s chief crucible of modernism.
The faculty roster at the Bauhaus reads like a who’s who of modernist creative genius — it included such artists as Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and László Moholy-Nagy along with architects and designers like Mies and Marcel Breuer, who became known for his muscular brutalist-style concrete buildings in the postwar years. In 1925, while he was head of the Bauhaus carpentry workshop, Breuer gave form to his signature innovation: the use of lightweight tubular-steel frames for chairs, side tables and sofas — a technique soon adopted by Mies and others. Breuer’s Cesca chair was the first-ever tubular steel frame chair with a caned seat to be mass produced, while the inspiration for his legendary Wassily chair, a timeless design and part of the collection crafted to furnish the Dessau school, was the bike he rode around campus.
Bauhaus design style reflects the tenets by which these creators worked: simplicity, clarity and function. They disdained superfluous ornament in favor of precise construction. Seating pieces such as side chairs, armchairs or club chairs for example, were made with tubular metal or molded plywood frames, and upholstery was made from leather or cane. Above all, designs in the Bauhaus style offer aesthetic flexibility. They can be the elements of a wholly spare, minimalist space, the quiet foundation of an environment in which color and pattern come from one’s own collection of art and artifacts.
Today, from textiles to typefaces, architecture, furniture and decorative objects for the home, Bauhaus creations continue to have an outsize influence on modern design.
Find a collection of authentic Bauhaus furniture on 1stDibs.
1970s Marcel Breuer B33 for Knoll Bauhaus Design Chairs, Set of 4
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Brescia, IT
Marcel Breuer B33 chairs, pair Knoll International Italy / USA, c. 1970 Chrome-plated steel Fabric Seat Ufficio Tecnico 1971 Ufficio Tecnico, Knoll International's in-house team of engineers and designers, introduced the award-winning Spoleto chair...
Metal
$10,165Sale Price|33% Off
Early Year LC2 Black Leather Three-Seat Sofa by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' three-seat sofa (authentic signed and earlier year production example with low number production number stamped on the fram...
Steel
Art Deco Bauhaus Lounge Chairs by Erich Dieckmann, 1930s
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of vintage Art Deco Bauhaus lounge chairs by Berlin born designer Erich Dieckmann (1896-1944). Sturdy bent beech wood frame with tightly woven wicker seat and back. Decorative...
Wicker, Beech
Marcel Breuer Isokon Chaise Longue for Knoll, Bauhaus, Germany, 1970
By Marcel Breuer, Knoll
Located in Argelato, BO
One of the most iconic and elegant chaise longues in the history of design, conceived in the 1930s by the great architect and designer Marcel Breuer . The sinuous frame is made of c...
Fabric, Plywood
Tubular Steel Loungechair Zebra Hide by Fa. Hynek Gottwald, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
The design of this chair goes back to the model of R.C. Coquery from the year 1929. It was produced under the number B 251 from Thonet-France. This chair by Hynek Gottwald is a czech version with changed proportions. It has been completely restored and upholstered. Covered with 3 selected real zebra skins...
Steel
Mies Van Der Rohe MR20 Chrome & Wicker Lounge Chairs, 1970s / sTENDIG
By Stendig Co., Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Buffalo, NY
Mies Van Der Rohe MR20 Chrome & Wicker Lounge Chairs, 1970s. manufactured by Stendig... Classic Bauhaus / Modernist design,, Superior quality and construction.. Extremely comfortable...
Steel, Chrome
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Mies van der Rohe Tubular BRNO Black Leather 245 Chair for Knoll, 1980s
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Miami, FL
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe tubular chrome BRNO 245 chair with thin black leather seat and back for Knoll. Designed in the 1930s, this chair was manufactured and sold by Knoll circa 19...
Chrome
Bauhaus Tubular Steel Chrome Desk Chair 1930s / Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - Original condition - wooden parts restored, chrome with patina - new upholstery jt.
Chrome
Thonet Bentwood Bistro Chair, Czechoslovakia 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful vintage chair designed by Thonet. Bentwood details and construction makes this piece a timeless item. Plywood seat and backrest. Strong oak wood. The chair was completely r...
Bentwood, Plywood
$9,500Sale Price|24% Off
'LC2' Black Leather Settee Sofa Loveseat by Le Corbusier for Cassina, Signed
By Cassina, Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This incredibly comfortable Le Corbusier for Cassina 'LC2' two-seat loveseat sofa, signed (see pics, in gorgeous thick Italian black leather on chrome steel frame is in beautiful vin...
Steel
Set of Four Marcel Breuer Bauhaus Style B5 B40 Chrome and Leather Chairs c 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional set of four Bauhaus style dining chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1926, these examples are circa 1970's, probably made by Tecta. The chairs feature wonderful original...
Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll Krefeld Chairs- A Pair
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful pair of club chairs designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll circa 2004. The original design of these was from the 1920s. These are very well made and comfortable cha...
Leather, Ash
Reupholstered Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair in Tubular Steel, Thonet, 1930s
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Reupholstered Bauhaus Cantilever Armchair in Tubular Steel, Thonet, 1930s Elegant 1930s Bauhaus cantilever armchair attributed to Thonet, featuring a polished tubular steel frame, n...
Chrome
Tubular Chrome and Leather Armchairs, Bauhaus / Mid-Century Modern
By Marcel Breuer, Bauhaus
Located in Sofia, BG
Pair of vintage tubular chrome and black leather armchairs in the style of Marcel Breuer. Sculptural chrome frames with suspended black leather upholstery create a distinctive Bauhau...
Metal
Bauhaus MR 20 Black Leather Arm Chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll, 1979
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Detroit, MI
This pair of vintage Bauhaus Mies van der Rohe MR 20 black leather cantilever arm chairs were made by Knoll in 1979. The MR chair was designed by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van ...
Steel, Chrome
Restored B34 Bauhaus Cantilever Chair, Plywood & Chrome, By Marcel Breuer, 1930s
Located in Żory, PL
Iconic cantilever armchair model B34, designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928 during the Bauhaus period. This example features the uncommon plywood seat and backrest, characteristic of ear...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 Cesca model B32 chairs by Marcel Breuer – Italy, 1970-80's
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
Set of 4 Bauhaus tubular 'Cesca' model B32 chairs designed by Marcel Breuer in 1928. The chairs are made of black lacquered beech with cane webbing and and a chrome tubular base. D...
Chrome
$713Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Thonet Bentwood Oak Chair With Original Label, Czechoslovakia, 1920s
By Michael Thonet, Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
This elegant vintage chair, crafted by the renowned Thonet company, is a distinguished example of bentwood design. Featuring the original manufacturer’s label, the piece showcases Th...
Bentwood
Original Bauhaus Bar Chair, Chromed Steel, Faux Leather, Germany, 1970s
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This stylish bar stool from 1970s German production represents an interesting interpretation of the Bauhaus movement aesthetic, which was returning to its modernist roots during this...
Steel, Chrome
Jil Sander for Thonet S 64 P Serious 05 in Lacquered Wood an Webbing
Pair of Reupholstered Bauhaus Thonet Cantilever Armchairs in Tubular Steel, 1935
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Reupholstered Bauhaus Thonet Cantilever Armchairs in Tubular Steel, 1935 A rare and elegant pair of Bauhaus cantilever armchairs designed by Thonet, produced circa 1935. Th...
Chrome
Marcel Breuer B34 Tubular Armchair 1930s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer B34 Armchair 1930s
Chrome
Cassina Le Corbusier LC4 Chaise Cow hide edition 1970s
By Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand, Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Aachen, NW
This timeless iconic chaise by Le Corbusier model LC4 was designed in 1928 by Le Corbusier and produced by Cassina in the 1970s. This chaise features a wonderful cow hide and comes i...
Stainless Steel
$7,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Knoll BRNO Flat Bar Armchairs by Mies van der Rohe, Set of 6
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Culver City, CA
This set of six BRNO armchairs by Knoll takes one of the most disciplined designs of the 20th century and gives it just the right amount of drama. Custom upholstered in a vivid, unap...
Stainless Steel
A pair of Bauhaus Leather Visitor chairs by Mart Stam, produced by Matteo Grassi
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find the iconic Visitor's chairs designed by Mart Stam in 1920s and later manufactured by Matteo Grassi in the 1970s. The chairs feature tubular chrome plate...
Steel
$1,392 / item
Pair of 'Cesca' chairs by Marcel Breuer, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of 'Cesca' chairs designed by Marcel Breuer, produced during the 1980s. Rare version with rattan. Good vintage condition. Please note: set of 3 available, listed price is for ...
Rattan
Classic Josef Hoffman for Ligna Set of Five Bentwood and gut Chairs / Czech
By Josef Hoffmann, Ligna
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Set of five No. 811 Thonet arm chairs or Prague chairs designed by Josef Hoffman made by Ligna / Czechoslovaka.. The chairs feature an iconic...
Cane, Bentwood
$649Sale Price|20% Off
Marcel Breuer Cesca Chair, Walnut & Animal Skin, Bauhaus Style
Located in bari, IT
Chair in the style model Cesca S64 by Marcel Breuer from 1960s in wood and oven skin.
Animal Skin, Walnut
$1,320Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mie Van Der Rohe Flat Bar Brno Chairs for Knoll - Set of Two
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of original Brno flat bar stainless steel and fabric arm chairs designed by Mies Van Der Rohe and manufactured by Knoll in 1982. The fabric is original and we recommend new uph...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Vintage Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Brno Chairs For Knoll New Upholstery
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in San Diego, CA
These vintage modern Brno flat bar chairs are sleek and timeless. Chairs feature cantilevered, heavy stainless steel flat-bar frames. The seat, backrest and the arched armrest . in N...
Steel
$2,096Sale Price / set|25% Off
Vintage Bauhaus Beech Bentwood Dining Chairs w/Cane Seats by Thonet Set of 5
By Thonet
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Bauhaus style beech bentwood dining chairs w/hand caned seats stamped “Made in Romania” which denotes being made by Thonet, set of 5. These pieces have been attribu...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
Dining Chairs Style B32 by Marcel Breuer, Set of 4
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
Set of 4 dining chairs Style B32 by Marcel Breuer, in metal, wood and rattan.
Metal
Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Wassily chair by Marcel Breuer later production from 1970s. New fabric seat.
Stainless Steel
Early 1900's Thonet Bent Rattan & Wicker Stool
By Thonet
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Early 1900's Thonet rattan and wicker stool, Completely original and in exceptional condition. 15-1/2" square.
Wicker, Rattan
Chrome tubular steel Bauhaus Stool Thonet B8 by Marcel Breuer, 1930
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- 1930s - maker unknown - Design: Marcel Breuer - Published in books and catalogues - polished, cleaned - new but old very authetntic fabric jr
Chrome
Bauhaus Chair Thonet A283 by Gustav Adolf Schneck in 1928
By Thonet-Mundus, Gustav Adolf Schneck
Located in Praha, CZ
Manufactured in Czechoslovakia by the Thonet-Mundus. Designed in year 1928 by prof. Gustav Adolf Schneck. Bent beechwood. New shellac finish.
Bentwood
Marcel Breuer for Tecta 'The Mobile Manifesto' Chaise Longue in Cane Wicker
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marcel Breuer for Tecta, 'The Mobile Manifesto' chaise longue, model F41-E, cane wicker, steel, rubber, Germany, designed circa 1928 and manufactured 1984 This design by Hungarian-b...
Steel
Matteo Grassi Visitor Chair Set of 4 - Leather/Chrome Cantilever Chairs, 1970
By Marcel Breuer, Mart Stam, Matteo Grassi
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This classic set of four Visitor Chairs by Matteo Grassi combines the constructive clarity of classic Bauhaus modernism with the high-quality leather craftsmanship for which the Ital...
Leather
Early Cantilever Lounge Chair by Paul Schuitema
Located in Tilburg, NL
Very original and rare early cantilever chair by Paul Schuitema. In the 1930’s this cantilever tubular design was very modern and due to...
Metal, Chrome
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Chrome Sofa with Original Upholstery by Hynek Gottwald, Prague 1930s This is a Bauhaus chrome sofa designed by Hynek Gottwald, crafted in Prague during the 1930s. It feature...
Chrome
Barcelona lounge chairs by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International (Signed)
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Argelato, BO
Early edition Barcelona chairs in black leather, Mies van der Rohe, Knoll International Originally designed in 1926 for the International Exposition, the Barcelona chair was recon...
Metal
Bauhaus Style Tubular Dining Chair with Cane Seat, Italy 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find Bauhaus inspired dining chair done in style of Cesca chairs designed by Marcel Breuer. They feature tubular frame with seat and backrests done in beech ...
Chrome
Michael Thonet No. 24 Bentwood Armchair By Ton, Czechoslovakia 1950s
Bauhaus Diagonal Chairs by Willem Hendrik Gispen for Gispen, The Netherlands
Located in Almelo, NL
Bauhaus Diagonal Chairs by Willem Hendrik Gispen for Gispen, The Netherlands — Design 1927, Production 1970s A remarkable pair of Diagonal Chairs designed in 1927 by Dutch industria...
Chrome
Thonet 210 P Bentwood Armchairs in Beech with Velvet Cover, Germany, Set of 4
By Thonet, Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH
Located in München, BY
Original set of four Thonet Model 210P armchairs, crafted from solid beechwood in 1989. Based on the iconic bentwood tradition of Thonet, the design is derived from the classic Model...
Velvet, Beech
Zanotta Onda Pair of Armchairs in Matte Black Leather Chrome by De Pas, D'urbino
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Zanotta, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Marcel Breuer
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
De Pas, D’Urbino and Lomazzi for Zanotta, pair of lounge chairs, model 'Onda', matte black leather, high polish chrome, Italy, 1985. While the Onda has become a highly collectible ...
Chrome
1930s Bauhaus Multifunctional Daybed, Robert Slezák, Tubular Steel, Storage Unit
Located in Berlin, DE
This multifunctional daybed was manufactured by Robert Slezák in the 1930s and is a fine example of Bauhaus-era tubular steel furniture. Designed to function as both a sofa and a day...
Steel, Chrome
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe Bauhaus Coffee Leather Barcelona Daybed for Knoll
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Vicenza, IT
Barcelona daybed, designed by Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe in 1929 and manufactured by Knoll International. The Barcelona chair epitomizes functional minimalism, initially crafted in 19...
Chrome
Marcel Breuer B32 Cesca Chairs for Gavina, Chrome & Vienna Straw, 1968, Set of 8
By Marcel Breuer, Gavina
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight B32 “Cesca” chairs, designed by Marcel Breuer and produced by Gavina in Italy in 1968. This iconic model represents one of the most important achievements of 20th-centu...
Chrome
Solid Wood Outdoor Modernist Armchair, Designed in the 20th Century
By Luteca Furniture, Michael van Beuren
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Miguelito armchair is an iconic design by the Bauhaus trained American designer Michael van Beuren, realized during his lifetime in Mexico. It is meticulously handcrafted in Irok...
Teak
Stylish Bauhaus daybed / Art Deco / Modernist by Schlaraffia Werke Husser & Co
By S.W. Farber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stylish Bauhaus daybed / Art Deco / Modernist by Schlaraffia Werke Husser & Co.. Retains original spring cushions.original label,, dated 1937, Amazing design. Hand delivery avail to ...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 4 Mies van der Rohe Leather MR10 Cantilever Chairs for Knoll Int'l
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Ludwig Mies van der Rohe leather and chrome MR10 chairs for Knoll International. The chairs are of a cognac leather color with tubular chrome frames. Some of the chairs reta...
Chrome
Le Corbusier LC2 Armchair + 3-Seat Sofa Set in Black Leather & Chrome, Alivar
By Cassina, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Alivar
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Timelessly iconic Le Corbusier LC2 set of 3-seater sofa and armchair in chrome tube steel and black leather. Made in Italy by Alivar, a highly collectible licensed / authorized produ...
Steel, Chrome
Set of Eight Chrome Brno Chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe for Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Buffalo, NY
Set of eight chrome Brno chairs by Mies Van Der Rohe for Thonet, classic Bauhaus design, nice original condition, hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffa...
Chrome
$4,592Sale Price / set|33% Off
Bauhaus Style Set of 4 Spoleto Chairs by Ufficio Tecnico for Knoll International
By Knoll
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Ufficio Tecnico, Knoll’s own team of engineers and designers, created this cantilevered tubular metal chair in 1971 and called it the Spoleto. The ...
Steel
$1,496Sale Price / set|25% Off
1980’s Bauhaus Pair Chromcraft Armchairs Style Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer
By Chromcraft, Thonet, Marcel Breuer
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Bauhaus pair of Chromcraft armchairs in the style of Cesca Chairs by Marcel Breuer comprised of chrome tube cantilever bases, natural cane backs, wood armrests, and...
Chrome
Counter Stool in Solid Walnut with Leather and Fabric Upholstered Seat
Located in Ballard, CA
The solid walnut counter stool is handcrafted with traditional joinery. Shown in a combination of leather and fabric upholstery. This is a homage ...
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 4 "Cesca" Cantilever Chairs by Marcel Breuer, Italy, 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
An exceptional and globally recognized set of four "Cesca" cantilever chairs (originally designated as model B32), designed by Bauhaus master Marcel Breuer in 1928. This set stands a...
Steel
$1,113Sale Price / set|20% Off
Bauhaus Design CESCA Dining Chair set, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Bauhaus Design CESCA Dining Chair set by Marcel Breuer. Made in Italy, 1980's / 90's period. Stamped; Made in Italy. Tubular chrome frame with black lacquered wood frame and ...
Chrome
1930s Chrome & Leather Armchair By Hynek Gottwald, Czechoslovakia
Located in Zohor, SK
Unique lounge chair after a complete restoration. The armchair was produced in 1930s, designed by Hynek Gottwad. The armchar offers a greatly comfortable seating. The design is one o...
Chrome